Card games

ABSTRACT

A card game having a playing area divided into a plurality of player areas, each player area having a bet area where players may place a bet to participate; two or more cards are dealt to each player&#39;s player area and the dealer; each player having the option to stand on the original dealt cards or to place an additional exchange bet, to exchange at least one of the cards originally dealt for an equal number of new cards; the dealer standing on the original dealt cards dealt if the value of the cards is equal to or above a pre-determined minimum value or exchanging one or more cards for an equal number of new cards if the value of the initial cards dealt is below the per-determined minimum value; and the value of each player&#39;s hand being compared with the dealer&#39;s hand to determine the outcome of the bets.

This application is a National Stage completion of PCT/GB2011/001538filed Oct. 28, 2011, which claims priority from British patentapplication serial no. 1018589.0 filed Nov. 4, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to card games and in particular card gamessuch as Blackjack, Baccarat or Poker, in which two or more cards aredealt to a player's hand and two or more cards are dealt to a dealer'shand, the player's hand being compared to the dealer's hand decide theoutcome of the game. Depending on the actual game the player's hand andthe dealer's hand may comprise only the initial two or more cards dealtto the hand or may comprise additional individual cards or common cards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a card game comprisesthe steps of;

providing a playing area divided into a plurality of player areas;

at least one player placing a bet in a bet area of one of said playerareas to participate in the game;

a dealer dealing two or more cards to the or each player's player areaand two or more cards to the dealer;

the or each player having the option to stand on the original two ormore cards dealt to the player's player area or place an additionalexchange bet in an exchange bet area of the player's player area, toexchange at least one of the two or more cards originally dealt to theplayer area for an equal number of new cards;

the dealer standing on the original two or more cards dealt to thedealer if the value of said cards is equal to or above a pre-determinedminimum value or exchanging one or more cards for an equal number of newcards if the value of the initial cards dealt to the dealer is below theper-determined minimum value;

the or each player's completed hand comprising the originally dealtcards and any exchange cards, plus any additional individual or commoncards being compared to the dealer's completed hand comprising theoriginally dealt cards and any exchange cards, plus any additionalindividual or common cards, to determine the outcome of the initial betand any exchange bet.

The incorporation of an exchange element introduces additional skillfactors in what have hitherto tended to be games of pure chance or gameswith a very small element of skill.

According to one embodiment the player, upon placing an exchange bet,may exchange any number of cards up to one less that the original numberof cards.

The exchange bet is preferably equal to the initial bet placed by theplayer.

The player preferably discards the card or cards he wishes to exchangebefore the cards are exchanged, the player for example discarding thecard or cards at the same time as placing his exchange bet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention is now described, by way of example only, with referenceto the accompanying sole FIGURE which illustrates a playing area for acard game in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in FIG. 1 the playing area 10 is divided into a pluralityof player areas 12, each player area 12 having an area 14 in which anindividual player hand may be dealt, a bet area 16 and a exchange betarea 18. The playing area 10 also includes an area 20 in which adealer's hand may be dealt.

According to one embodiment based on Three Card Draw Poker, each playerwishing to participate in the game places a bet in area 16 of a playerarea 12, each player selecting a different player area 12.

From a single deck of cards, the dealer then deals three cards face downto areas 14 of the playing areas 12 of each participating player andthree cards face down to himself in area 20.

Each player then has the option of standing with the original threecards dealt to the player's player area 12 or to exchange one card. Ifthe player wishes to exchange he must first place an exchange bet equalto his initial bet in exchange bet area 18 of his player area 12 anddiscard the card or cards he wishes to exchange. The dealer collects alldiscards and deals in turn the replacement cards, in turn to each of theplayers placing an exchange bet.

If the original three cards dealt to the dealer produce a (three-card)Flush, Straight, Straight-Flush or Three of a Kind, the dealer mustretain all three cards.

Otherwise the Dealer must discard one card retaining a two-card drawinghand using the following criteria in priority order:

Two Cards to be Retained:

1. Keep Pair;

2. Keep two cards to a Straight-Flush draw, (holding 2-3, 2-4, . . . ,Q-K, K-A (Suited connectors));

3. Keep two to a Open-Ended Straight draw (holding 2-3, 3-4, . . . 9-10,J-Q, Q-K);

4. Keep two to a Flush draw (holding two same-suit cards);

5. Keep two to the highest possible Inside Straight (holding: A-2, 2-4,. . . , J-K, K-A).

6. Keep the two highest cards.

The completed hand of each Player, comprising all three original cardsor two original cards and one exchanged card, is then compared with theDealer's completed hand comprising all three original cards or twooriginal cards and one exchanged card. If the Player's completed hand isof higher rank than that of the Dealer in ascending order:

-   High Card-   Pair-   Flush-   Straight-   Three of a Kind-   Straight Flush-   Royal Flush    the player will win and the player's initial bet is paid out at    specified odds, for example the player's initial bet is paid out at    odds of 1 to 1 and any exchange bet is paid out at odds in    accordance with the following table:

Player's completed hand of two Odds original cards and one exchange cardRoyal Flush 25 to 1  Straight Flush 5 to 1 Three of a Kind 4 to 1Straight, 2 to 1 Flush or Pair 1 to 1 Other Push

In an alternative embodiment based on Three-Card Low Ball Draw Poker thegame is played in the same manner as Three Card Draw Poker as describedabove, the winning hand is however the hand of lower value, the lowestpossible hand being 4-2-A unsuited.

In this alternative embodiment, the dealer must stand with Queen high orlower. Otherwise dealer must exchange a single card using the followingcriteria in priority order:

1. With three of a kind discard any card.

2. With Flush, Straight or Straight-Flush discard highest card.

3. With Pair discard one of the pair

4. With King high discard King

The completed hand of each player is then compared with the dealer'scompleted hand. If the player's completed hand is of higher rank thanthe dealer's completed hand, in the ascending order:

-   Straight Flush;-   Three of a kind;-   Straight;-   Flush;-   Pair;-   High Card;    the player will win and the player's initial bet is paid out at    specified odds.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention based FiveCard Stud Draw Poker, each player wishing to participate in the gameplaces a bet in area 16 of a player area 12, each player selecting adifferent player area 12.

Five cards are dealt face down to the playing area 12 of eachparticipating player and five cards are dealt face down to the dealer inarea 20, from a deck comprising a single deck of cards.

The player has the option of standing on the original cards or placingan exchange bet equal to his initial bet and exchanging one card, theplayer discarding the card he wishes to exchange before being dealtreplacement card or stay with his original five cards.

The dealer must keep all five cards with a Straight or higher. Otherwisethe dealer must discard one, two or three cards using the followingcriteria in priority order:

1. Keep four to a Straight-Flush draw, exchanging one card.

2. Keep four to a Flush draw, exchanging one card.

3. Keep four to an Open-ended Straight draw, exchanging one card.

4. Keep three of a kind; exchanging two cards.

5. Keep a Pair, exchanging three cards.

5. Keep four to a (higher) Middle-pin Straight draw, exchanging onecard.

6. Keep two highest cards, exchanging three cards.

The completed five card hand of each player is then compared with thedealer's completed five card. If the player's completed hand is ofhigher rank than the dealer's completed hand, in the descending order:

-   Royal Flush Ace-King-Queen-Jack-Ten Same Suit;-   Straight Flush Five same suited cards in sequence;-   Four of a kind Four same ranked cards;-   Full House Three same ranked cards and a pair;-   Flush Five same suited cards (not in sequence);-   Straight Five cards in sequence (mixed suits);-   Three of a kind Three same ranked cards;-   Two Pairs;-   One Pair;-   High card;    the player will win and the player's initial bet and any exchange    bet will be paid out at specified odds.

According to another embodiment of the present invention based on TexasHold'em Poker each player wishing to participate in the game places abet in area 16 of a player area 12, each player selecting a differentplayer area 12.

From a single deck of cards, the dealer then deals two personal cardsface down to the player area 12 of each participating player and twocards face down to the dealer in box 20.

Each player then has the option of standing on the original two personalcards dealt to him or placing an exchange bet in area 18 of his playerarea 12 and exchanging one of the two original personal cards, theplayer discarding the card be wishes to exchange before being dealt areplacement card.

After all participating players have stood or exchanged a card, the twocards dealt to the dealer are exposed. The dealer must keep bothoriginal cards when both are higher than 9 or same ranked. Otherwise thedealer must exchange one card, discarding the lower ranked cardretaining the higher ranked card.

The dealer then deals five community cards face up.

The best five card poker hand of each player, made up from the fivecommunity cards and two remaining personal cards is then compared withthe dealer's best poker hand made up from the five community cards andthe remaining two dealer's cards. If the player's best poker hand is ofhigher rank than the dealer's best poker hand, in the descending order

-   Royal Flush Ace-King-Queen-Jack-Ten Same Suit;-   Straight Flush Five same suited cards in sequence;-   Four of a kind Four same ranked cards;-   Full House Three same ranked cards and a pair;-   Flush Five same suited cards (not in sequence);-   Straight Five cards in sequence (mixed suits);-   Three of a kind Three same ranked cards;-   Two Pairs;-   One Pair;-   High card;    the player will win and the player's initial bet and any exchange    bet will be paid out at specified odds, for example the player's    initial bet is paid at odds of 1 to 1 and any exchange bet made by    the player is paid in accordance with the following pay table:

Player's Hand Odds Royal Flush 50 to 1 Straight Flush 20 to 1 4 of aKind  8 to 1 Pair to Full House  1 to 1 Ace High or less Push.

According to an embodiment of the game based on Baccarat the dealerdeals three cards to each player and the dealer, from eight decks ofcards which have been shuffled together. Standard Baccarat point-countrules apply, card values being aggregated and the last digit only beingused to provide the point count of the hand.

Each player has the option of standing on the original three cards orpaying an exchange bet equal to an initial bet made by the player toparticipate in the game, in order to exchange one card, the playerdiscarding the card he wishes to exchange before being dealt areplacement card.

After all the players have stood or replaced a card, the dealer muststand with six to nine points. With five or fewer points dealer mustexchange one card keeping the two cards making the highest point, forexample if the dealer's original cards are 7-8-9, the hand value is 4(24 last digit=4), the dealer must exchange one card, keeping the 8 and9; with 10-8-4 hand value is 2 and the dealer must keep the 10 and 8drawing a further card to replace the 4.

If on comparison of each player's completed hand comprising all threeoriginal cards or two original cards and one exchange card with thedealer's completed hand comprising all three original cards or twooriginal cards and one exchange card, the player's hand has a greatervalue than the dealer's hand, the player wins and the player's initialbet and exchange bet if any, are paid at specified odds.

According to an embodiment of the game based on Blackjack each playerwishing to participate in the game places a bet in area 16 of a playerarea 12, each player selecting a different player area 12.

The dealer then deals two cards face up to each player and two cards oneface up the other face down to the dealer, from six decks of cards whichhave been shuffled together.

Each player has the option of standing on the original two cards dealtto him or placing an exchange bet equal to his initial bet, to replacethe second (Top) card dealt to his hand. After standing or exchanginghis second card the player plays his hand according to the standardrules of Blackjack, standing on the remaining two cards, splitting ifappropriate, doubling or drawing additional cards.

After all the players have completed play of their hand, the dealerexposes his second (Hole) card. If dealer's two cards make 14 to 17, thedealer must exchange his Hole card. With all other totals the dealermust play with the original two cards dealt to him. The dealer's hand isthen played according to standard rules of Blackjack.

If the completed hand of each player is 21 or less and higher than thedealer's, or if the player's hand is 21 or less and the dealer's handexceeds 21, then the player wins and his initial bet and exchange bet ifany, are paid at specified odds.

According to a variation of the game based on blackjack described above,the player may only place an exchange bet and exchange the second carddealt to him if the total of the original two cards dealt to him is 12or higher.

Various modifications may be made to the embodiments of the inventiondescribed above. For example the number of decks used to play the gamemay be varied and a card or cards may be added to or removed from thedeck or decks in use. The game may be played with a joker added to thedeck or decks with pre-designated values as a limited or unlimited wildcard. Alternatively a version of the game may be played with apre-nominated card (e.g. 2 of Clubs) or cards (e.g. one eyed-jacks)designated as limited or unlimited wild cards.

The number of cards the player may exchange may be varied. The value ofthe exchange bet may be different to the initial bet. The ranking tablerelating to the version of game in play may be varied. The player and/ordealer may have more that one opportunity of exchanging cards, theplayer each time placing an exchange bet.

A progressive or jackpot side-game may be included in which a player whoexercises his exchange option, doubles or otherwise increase the valueof his bet on the side-game.

A version of the game may be played with bonus payments made either withor without a side or subsidiary bet for achieving a pre-designated handor better or for losing to the dealer with a pre-designated hand orbetter (bad-beat).

The game or any variation thereof may be played in electronic form, byremote betting, on the world wide web, on the internet, on a local areaor remote network, with virtual or part-virtual components, on videoscreens, using computer programs, interactive television, by way ofscratch-card or lottery or as a family or fun game or any combinationthereof.

The playing area may be defined by any material, whether real, virtual,artificially illuminated or otherwise.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A card game comprising the steps of: providing aplaying area divided into a plurality of player areas; at least oneplayer placing a bet in a bet area of one of said player areas toparticipate in the game; a dealer dealing two or more cards to the oreach player's player area and two or more cards to the dealer; the oreach player having the option to stand on the original two or more cardsdealt to the player's player area or to place an additional bet in anexchange bet area of the player's player area, to exchange at least oneof the two or more cards originally dealt to the player area for anequal number of new cards; the dealer standing on the original two ormore cards dealt to the dealer, if a value of said cards is equal to orabove a pre-determined minimum value, or exchanging one or more cardsfor an equal number of new cards, if the value of the initial cardsdealt to the dealer is below the pre-determined minimum value; the oreach player's hand comprising the originally dealt cards and anyexchange cards, plus any additional individual or common cards; beingcompared with the dealer's hand comprising the originally dealt cardsand any exchange cards, plus any additional individual or common cardsto determine the outcome of the initial bet and any exchange bet. 12.The card game according to claim 11, further comprising the step ofpermitting the player to exchange any one or more of the cardsoriginally dealt to the player's player area.
 13. The card gameaccording to claim 11, further comprising the step of permitting theplayer to exchange only specified card or cards of the original cardsdealt to the player's playing area.
 14. The card game according to claim11, further comprising the step of requiring the player to retain atleast one of the original cards dealt to the player's player area. 15.The card game according to claim 11, further comprising the step of theplayer discarding the card or cards the player wishes to exchange beforedealing replacement cards to the player.
 16. The card game according toclaim 11, further comprising the step of providing each player with morethan one option of exchanging one or more cards.
 17. The card gameaccording to claim 11, further comprising the step of equating anexchange bet to be of equal value to the player's initial bet.
 18. Thecard game according to claim 11, further comprising the step of payingout winning initial bets and any exchange bets at specified odds. 19.The card game according to claim 11, further comprising the step ofbasing the card game of one of three card poker, three card low-balldraw poker, five card stud, Texas holdem poker, draw baccarat andblackjack and variations thereof.
 20. The card game according to claim11, further comprising the step of one of playing and reproducing thecard game in electronic format, by remote betting on the world wide web,on the internet, on a local area network or a remote network, or by wayof scratch-card or lottery, or as a family game or a fun game.